MRU helps Funeral Services grad shift careers from HR to something more human

“If I am going to do something, I am going to do it to the best of my ability.”

Meet Therese Zoltan. Energetic. Empathetic. Enduring.
Home: Calgary
Program: Funeral Service Diploma

Alberta’s oil and gas sector is known for its volatility — big booms and quick market contractions — the reason for the ever-present threat of layoffs. It was the lack of stability that made a single mother of four leave her oil industry human resources job to start over and pursue something more human.

After being caught in a round of oil and gas sector layoffs, Therese Zoltan took an administration job at a funeral home and found reward in helping people grieve their loved ones. This inspired her to jump into Mount Royal University’s funeral services program.

“I instantly felt a very strong sense of ‘home,’” Zoltan says, rewinding to her job interview at Choice Memorial seven years ago.

“I can’t even explain it, but I knew that was where I was meant to be. I turned down two other job offers to work there and haven’t looked back. This is truly my calling and what I was meant to do.”

Flash forward to 2024, when the professional strongwoman athlete made her return to the classroom.

“Going back to school at 39 was a bit of a shock to my system, but once I got through that first semester and found my flow, the rest of it went by smoothly enough,” Zoltan says, who completed the two-year program in 18 months — all while juggling being a professional athlete and mom.

“I decided from the beginning that I was going to work super hard to get good grades and prove to myself that I could. And I am proud to say, I kept that promise to myself.”

While her dedication and passion were undoubtedly huge drivers in her success, Zoltan’s kids also fueled her, whether or not they know it.

“It’s always been very important to me to teach my kids about the value of hard work and setting your mind to things. That they can achieve their goals no matter their circumstances. It’s meant so much to me to be able to be an example to them and make them proud.”

Zoltan says having a good support system — and elite time management skills — is also key.

“I was a single mom of four kids for 12 years before I met my fiancé, so strict routines and time management have always been second nature to me. I am lucky now to have an incredibly supportive partner who supports my dreams, and readily took on more at home and with the kids to make sure I was able to be successful at school and still be able to get to the gym.”

As the saying goes, it takes a village. Many members of MRU’s faculty were a part of Zoltan’s village, but two people stood out: Alex Trattner and Sandy Nordstrom.

“I am lucky to say Trattner is also my co-worker and has mentored me since the day I enrolled in school. Given the approachable way he instructs, he has made it easy and a joy to learn.” Zoltan shares.

“It's a rarity for someone to be as capable and compassionate with families as they are with the technical duties related to cremation and embalming. Typically people don't have the demeanour and skills for both, but she flourishes in every part of the profession,” Trattner says.

He adds Zoltan is such a hard worker that it makes him feel “Homer Simpson levels of laziness.”

“Therese was the first student I’m aware of to be encouraged to slow down the amount of labs she came to. It was not to ensure other students had an opportunity or anything negative like that. Her dedication maxed out the program.”

Zoltan says Nordstrom is an amazing resource and was always available to lend a helping hand.

Nordstrom returns the compliment, saying Zoltan’s professional background will serve her well in the funeral industry, as will her strong service focus and her deep care for families.

“She is a calm, engaging and articulate speaker,” Nordstrom says. “She is also very passionate about this career and wants to make a difference in helping families through their times of grief.”

On top of her already packed schedule, Zoltan volunteers at MRU open houses, talking to prospective students about her experience on campus. Her biggest piece of advice for other students is to manage their time wisely.

“Do a little of the required reading every day so as to not let assignments and homework build up and then become insurmountable tasks,” she says.

Now, as she transitions from admin to director and embalmer at her funeral home, she’s hoping to hone her skills and build on her current abilities to be able to serve families better.

But first, she’s just excited to walk the stage.